Image source, Rex Features

England coach Wayne Bennett: "Preparation has been good - we kind of knew Sean O'Loughlin would not make it so we had that covered.

"We have Josh Hodgson out too but we have been fortunate we have got quality players to take their place.

"Sam Burgess is a leader anyway. He does not need the captain's armband to be one of those.

"Australia are consistently battle hardened because of State of Origin - they know how to apply the pressure and grind out a result – the things we are getting better at."

Image source, Getty Images

No three players have come to define their club, state and international teams quite so strongly as Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater have for Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia.

The trio have been key figures, enjoying unprecedented success across the board, and developing a remarkable near-telepathic understanding.

Cronk's move from Storm to Sydney Roosters has finally broken up their Three Amigos act at club level, but they still managed to bow out together with a premiership in 2017.

With Smith and Slater 34 and Cronk 33, this could well be their last World Cup together. You wouldn't bet against them adding a home-soil title to their impressive haul.

BBC One

Now is the time to flick the channel over to BBC One if you're viewing via TV, as the start of the Rugby League World Cup final build-up is about to begin.

Dave Woods, Brian Noble and Ian Millward are live from Brisbane, while St Helens coach Justin Holbrook, Wigan and England full-back Sam Tomkins and ex-New Zealand international Robbie Hunter-Paul join Mark Chapman in the studio.

You can watch on your traditional telly or online by clicking the big link at the top of the page.

Redemption is such a cliched notion, plus I'm not actually sure Sam Burgess is in need of it, but it's fair to say that a win this morning will make up for some big disappointments in the England talisman's career.

Four years ago, he was part of the England side denied in the World Cup semi-finals. Some 12 months later he was king of the world after leading South Sydney to a first NRL premiership since 1971 and then headed for the brave move of trying out rugby union.

In 2015 he went from union novice to first choice centre in Stuart Lancaster's England side, but the national team's failure at that year's World Cup became a stick upon which he was metaphorically beaten.

He returned to rugby league a year later, not quite hitting his same heights. However, he has been re-energised in this World Cup, as this great feature from my colleague Paul Fletcher explains.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, SWPIX.COM/PHOTOSPORT.NZ

England have a great chance to win the World Cup for the first time in their first final since 1995... and that's from a man who knows all about winning things in rugby league.

Kevin Sinfield was part of Leeds' Super League dynasty which won everything in the game during his career, departing with a treble of trophies in 2015.

He was also part of the England squad denied cruelly at the semi-final death by New Zealand at Wembley in 2013.

"I've been part of international squads for 15 years now, and I don't think I've seen a team this prepared and with the belief they've got," Sinfield told BBC Radio 5 live.

"What you seen on the TV and in the interviews, Wayne Bennett's just playing games. We want more from him, we want him to tell us what his magic is, he feels he is paid to get the best out of the players on the field.

"That's where his focus is, the camp is relaxed, he instils confidence and belief in them, the lads believe they can win."

A World Cup winner, and a couple of Ashes winners give their best wishes to the boys...

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Pool A:

Australia 18-4 England

France 6-52 Australia

Australia 34-0 Lebanon

Quarter-final

Australia 46-0 Samoa

Semi-final

Australia 54-6 Fiji

Image source, Getty Images

Pool A:

Australia 18-4 England

England 29-10 Lebanon

England 36-6 France

Quarter-final:

England 36-6 Papua New Guinea

Semi-final:

Tonga 18-20 England

Image source, Getty Images

BBC One

You know it's a big event when you're on BBC One, and that is the craic this morning as the World Cup final goes out on the flagship channel.

Dave Woods, Brian Noble and Ian Millward are live from Brisbane, while St Helens coach Justin Holbrook, Wigan and England full-back Sam Tomkins and ex-New Zealand international Robbie Hunter-Paul join Mark Chapman in the studio.

It all kicks off there at 08:30 GMT. You can watch on your traditional telly or online by clicking the big link at the top of the page.

England's semi-final thriller against Tonga came at a rather bruising cost, with first Josh Hodgson and then most crucially and crushingly skipper Sean O'Loughlin ruled out of today's game through injury.

The news that a quad problem left O'Loughlin out of the game is a huge blow. Wigan's ball-playing back-rower has been a powerhouse in defence and attack. His link play between the pack and backs will be missed.

Sam Burgess moves to lock, where his hard-running will be a threat, but he is not the same silky extra pivot that 'Lockers' is.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

England are without captain Sean O'Loughlin after a quad injury ruled him out... in his place Slammin' Sam Burgess takes the armband and moves to lock, with Ben Currie coming into the second-row and Jonny Lomax onto the bench. Big lock Chris Heighington replaces hooker Josh Hodgson.

Australia are able to name an unchanged 17 for their first World Cup final on home soil in nine years - at the same Lang Park venue. Back-rowers Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire are back on familiar territory - they play their club rugby here for Brisbane Broncos.

Australia: Slater; Gagai, Chambers, Dugan, Holmes; Morgan, Cronk; Woods, Smith, Klemmer, Cordner, Gillett, McGuire

Replacements: W. Graham, McLean, Campbell-Gillard, Frizell

England: Widdop; McGillvary, Watkins, Bateman, Hall; Brown, Gale; Hill, Roby, J. Graham, Currie, Whitehead, S. Burgess

Replacements: Walmsley, T. Burgess, Heighington, Lomax

The 'enemy' of the piece.

"Advance, Australia Fair" their anthem cries and advance they have, steamrollering all before them to tie up yet their 12th final appearance.

The 2013 winners have relentlessly, and ruthlessly, defended their crown thus far, scoring 204 points, conceding just 16 in reply.

No northern hemisphere team has ever won a World Cup final decider down under. It'll take some team to do it today.

Image source, SWPIX.COM/PHOTOSPORT.NZ

Image source, Swpix.com

The men tasked with leading England to glory are the class of 2017.

Four years ago, many of this group were left to ponder what might have been after New Zealand's last gasp fightback robbed the Lions of a final.

This time, there was to be no sting in the tale. Proud, tough and together. England made it to the final after seeing off a brave Tonga fightback.

Image source, PA

Once more unto the breach. Once more sleepily jab the 'alarm off' button on your phone or bedside clock. Once more rouse yourself awake - for this is the big one. England v Australia in the Rugby League World Cup final.

For far too long the northern hemisphere has stayed in the background when this competition reaches its thrilling climax.

It's been 45 long years since Great Britain clinched the trophy. It's been 22 years since England were in a final.

Time to add a new chapter in the history books then, eh?